SPLIT HEAVEN — The Devil’s Bandit (review)

SPLIT HEAVEN — The Devil’s Bandit album cover Album · 2013 · Speed Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Kev Rowland
The first thing that struck me when I came across this album was the artwork which I thought was great, and when I found out that these guys are Mexican then it definitely made sense. This is their third full-length album, and they have been around for some ten years now and have quite a reputation in their home country. They were the first Mexican band ever to appear at the mighty Wacken Festival, something of which they are rightly very proud. But, if you were expecting some gentle Mexican rhythms then look elsewhere as these guys have been influenced heavily by Iron Maiden, Iced Earth and Judas Priest and have set their sights producing music of a similar ilk. These guys are a strong unit, locked in and powerful, and this is a very impressive album indeed. The only niggle I have with it is that the production of the drums leaves something to be desired and the snare drum at times is annoyingly at the front of the mix, which is definitely not the right place for it. But, that really is only a niggle on something that while not producing anything new is definitely good for clearing the dandruff.

Gian Carlo Farjat has a great set of pipes, and while not quite in the realm of Bruce, Rob et al, he does a very find job indeed and manages to rise above the guitars of Pedro Zelbohr and Armand "Hank" Ramos. These guys really know how to play as one, with very strong co-ordination and harmonies. It is a metal album that is instantly accessible, allowing the listener to get inside with little or no effort, and dares them to turn it up just a little louder. It isn’t groundbreaking, and doesn’t have the power or hooks of the masters they look up to so clearly, but all in all it is a fine piece of work.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

A Sonication Technical Death Metal
OBSCURA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed